Helping people with disabilities make their own music

Music has been an important part of leading an ordinary life for students at the Music School for Children With Disabilities in Honor of Paul Harris in Lublin, Poland. Founded by Rotary members, the school serves 20 students with various disabilities, including Down syndrome, autism, and visual impairments. The Rotary Club of Lublin-Centrum-Maria Curie-Sklodowska has provided funding with help from Rotary Foundation Matching Grants and the Henryk Wieniawski Musical Society, which houses the school.

After their son Mateusz was born with underdeveloped eyes, Mariusz and Joanna Kania looked for ways to help him be active. When he showed an aptitude for music, they looked for a teacher and were thrilled to find the Paul Harris music school.

“A school like this helps children like Mateusz widen their perspectives, see the world a bit differently, and meet new people,” his father says. “If it weren’t for this school, there wouldn’t be a place in Lublin for disabled children who want to develop musically.”

By Susie MaAdapted from a story in the September 2013 issue of The Rotarian
20-FEB-2014